Help for a newbie

[daug85]

Here's the deal, I used to own an Ak-47... it was stolen, but now I'm looking into getting another rifle, and after seeing a 525 dollar ak price (I bought my last one for 325) I've been thinking about getting an AR instead. The problem is, I know nothing about AR's other than they shoot a different bullet and are more accurate. I was hoping that some of you could teach me about them... I was told about these because they are cheap and prolly a good starter rifle: Atlantic firearms - AR15 & AK47 rifles - Olympic arms at wholesale prices.
anyway, the point is, I need some direction/help/teaching, and I turn to you for help. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tally XD]

Not to flame you, but if you will peruse the AR forum section, there has been an explosion in the amount of AR Talk posts lately. Lots of info there to start off with.

I personally decided to buy the parts and just build my own AR-15.

[daug85]

Thanks... I was kind of thinking there would be something that could be said in a few sentences, like any Ak I've ever seen... reliable, etc. but that's about it. Anyway, how much cheaper is it to build one, and is there anything I need to know before I do it?

[Tally XD]

Almost any AR-15 lower reciever can be turned into a fine weapon. There are some to avoid, but I dont know off hand which ones to avoid.

Like your AK47, the AR-15 lower is the only part needed to be purchased through an FFL. After that, you can purchase all other parts on your own with no FFL needed. As far as assembly, with the research available and downloaded and printed, it is much easier than I suspected to build the rifle so far.

Building your own might not be quite as cheap as buying one already assembled if you shop around for good bargains, but, you will have no doubt in your mind at exactly the quality of the parts you yourself purchased and installed. Some bargain rifles are a conglomeration of cheaper parts and you might never know which ones were used to assemble it.

My rifle, with the parts I have/am choosing, would come to around $1200 to $1500 if purchased assembled. Building it should come to under $850 not including an EoTech optic if I decide to use one, but does include iron sights.

I chose MEGA brand upper and lower recievers for their quality. I purchased a good quality lower parts kit, adjustable 6 position buttstock, CMMG barrel assembly, and a good quality bolt carrier assembly and middle of the road charging handle, forward assist and ejection port door assembly.

I advise to get your rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO as it will chamber both 5.56 and .223 whereas .223 chamber may not reliably feed 5.56 NATO. Your barrel length must be at least 16" or you will have to have a flash suppressor/hider that brings it to this length and is permanently attached. I suggest 16" mid length not carbine, but that is simply my choice.

[xjedix]

I would stay away from Olympic, they are bottom of the line AR's. They will shoot fine for the average person but you can build a MUCH better rifle for the same price.

FFE offers a complete kit minus the stripped lower receiver for $500. The kits are manufactured by CMMG, great quality stuff. The kit can be shipped straight to your house and you can find stripped lowers locally for $100-150 depending on brand. Putting one together this way will get you GREAT rifle for the same price of the Olympic.

Parts Kits - FFE

Good Luck,

-Derek

[daug85]

thanks alot guys... my next question is, how reliable are these rifles, ak's don't do anything but work. Can I expect an AR to be the same way? and will I have to match the upper to the lower, for example: the m4 upper looks good for me, do I have to find a m4 lower etc? and what exactly does a stripped lower include? I'm sorry for all the questions...

also, for these uppers, where are the specs. like 5.56 nato 1/7twist etc?

[Deadcenter]

Originally Posted by daug85

thanks alot guys... my next question is, how reliable are these rifles, ak's don't do anything but work. Can I expect an AR to be the same way? and will I have to match the upper to the lower, for example: the m4 upper looks good for me, do I have to find a m4 lower etc? and what exactly does a stripped lower include? I'm sorry for all the questions...

also, for these uppers, where are the specs. like 5.56 nato 1/7twist etc?

Do yourself a favor, read the sticky:
So you want to buy an AR-15 - FAQs

[xjedix]

Originally Posted by daug85

thanks alot guys... my next question is, how reliable are these rifles, ak's don't do anything but work. Can I expect an AR to be the same way? and will I have to match the upper to the lower, for example: the m4 upper looks good for me, do I have to find a m4 lower etc? and what exactly does a stripped lower include? I'm sorry for all the questions...

also, for these uppers, where are the specs. like 5.56 nato 1/7twist etc?

Any well built AR will be just as reliable as an AK.

First off all lower receivers are the same, it does not matter what upper you put on it. When people use the term "stripped lower" they are talking about a bare bones lower receiver with no parts (see picture below). The lower receiver is what has the serial number of the rifle and is the only item you need an FFL for.

AR's consist of 2 main parts, and upper receiver and a lower receiver. They are held together with 2 quick disconnect pins. Most people "build" an AR by buying the complete upper online and buying a complete lower locally to save FFL transfer fees. You can save a few bucks by buying the 2 halves separate.

-Derek


Stripped Lower:


Complete Lower: